90s Jeans

Straight From The Decade

90s Jeans

Nineties jeans mean a straight or slightly loose leg, a rise that sits at or above the hip, and a wash that looks worn rather than treated. That is a narrow set of rules, which is why the current versions look so similar to the originals. This edit sorts them by cut, since the leg is what dates a jean fastest.

Straight leg

The straight leg is the most nineties cut there is, and it works because it skims rather than clings. Look for a mid to high rise and a leg that stays the same width from knee to hem. These are the straight ones.

Mom and high rise

Mom jeans put the volume at the hip and taper slightly at the ankle, which is the shape that gets called nineties most often. A rigid non stretch denim holds the line better than anything with elastane. These are the high rise ones.

Low rise, baggy and loose

Low rise is the harder half of the revival and it works best with a longer top. Baggy and loose cuts are the middle ground, wide through the thigh without the rise dropping. These are the roomy ones.

Our honest take

Rigid denim in a straight leg is the version that still looks right in five years. Buy the waist that fits and get the hem shortened, because the break at the ankle is the whole look.

Shop brands in this edit

Shop BalmainShop Rag & BoneShop Citizens of HumanityShop TheoryShop Veronica Beard

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